Best credit cards for travel insurance
Credit cards with travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses when your luggage is lost or stolen, your trip is canceled for reasons beyond your control, or someone vandalizes your rental car.
Amazingly, credit cards that come with travel insurance offer this extra protection on a complimentary basis. When you have one of the top rewards credit cards with travel insurance, you can enjoy these added perks for free.
The travel insurance benefits you’ll get with a rewards card can vary dramatically, though it shouldn’t surprise you that premium travel credit cards tend to offer the broadest coverage.
Types of coverage you may get with the best credit cards for travel insurance include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside assistance and much more.
If you’re hoping to get travel insurance as a cardholder perk, the following rewards credit cards with travel insurance should be at the top of your list.
Comparing the top travel credit cards for trip insurance
| Best credit card for travel | Insurance coverage highlights | Welcome offer | Annual fee | Bankrate score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip), emergency evacuation and transportation coverage (up to $100,000) and primary rental car insurance | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months | $550 | 5.0 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Your trip is secured with up to $500 per trip (up to two claims each 12 months) in trip delay insurance, up to $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per card (each 12 months) in trip cancellation insurance and up to $3,000 of baggage delay insurance | 80,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months | $695 | 4.8 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Insurance of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip, covering non-refundable travel costs like flights, hotels or site-seeing tours | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $95 | 5.0 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: up to $2,000 per insured person | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months | $395 | 5.0 |
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: up to $10,000 per covered person and up to $20,000 per trip | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $525 | 4.4 |
A closer look at the best credit cards for travel insurance
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for luxury travelers
Why we picked it
With an extensive list of luxury travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers an elevated experience for frequent travelers seeking comfort and convenience.
Cardholders enjoy an extensive list of benefits, but those who put travel-related expenses on this card see an added bonus of boosted rewards: 5X on flights purchased through Chase, 10X on hotel stays and rental cars paid for with the card, 10X on Lyft rides (through March 2025) and 3X on all other travel purchases.
Pros
- Up to $300 in statement credits annually for travel purchases
- Complimentary airport lounge access at 1,300+ locations internationally
- Global Entry or TSA Precheck or NEXUS fee credit
- Exclusive access to VIP events and dining experiences
Cons
- $550 annual fee, plus $75 fee for each authorized user
- No current introductory APR offer
- Current welcome offer for this product is not as competitive as it once was
Who should apply
Frequent travelers who will make the most of this card’s perks are likely to offset the annual fee and see the most benefit. Travelers who book through Chase Ultimate Rewards and Chase Dining will see a significantly boosted rate of rewards earnings.
Who should skip
Moderate travelers who won’t recoup the cost of the annual fee may find the Chase Sapphire Preferred a better fit, with fewer perks but a much lower ($95) annual fee.
The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for lounge lovers
Why we picked it
The Platinum Card has the highest rewards rate of any American Express card available and provides frequent fliers with some of the most extensive lounge access available to the public. Hilton and Marriott customers can also enjoy complimentary elite access (Gold Status and Gold Elite Status, respectively); a bevy of other statement credits are available, adding up to around $1,700 in value each year.
Pros
- Extensive lounge access and travel benefits for account holders
- Up to $500 trip delay insurance (up to two claims every 12 months) and up to $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per card in trip cancellation insurance (every 12 months)
- Welcome offer currently valued up to $1,500
- Statement credits available annually add ongoing value to the card
Cons
- $695 annual fee
- Less-competitive reward rates and more niche perks than some competing products
- Elevated rewards categories are largely limited to travel spending
Who should apply
Routine air travelers will likely see the greatest benefit from this card, which offers extensive airport lounge access and works with 17 airline partners to provide members with 5X points earned on airfare.
Who should skip
Travelers looking to earn points and rewards through everyday purchases such as gas and groceries may find other cards to be a better fit.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for budget travelers
Why we picked it
When compared to other cards designed for travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a contender with solid rewards offerings despite its modest $95 annual fee. Though the luxury perks are pared back — especially when compared side-by-side with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card — there are still built-in perks like travel insurance and supplementary auto rental coverage for cardholders.
Pros
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 per trip); baggage delay insurance of up to $100 per day for five days
- A 25 percent boost in value when rewards are spent using the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Lacks luxury perks like free checked bags and airport lounge access
- No introductory APR or balance transfer offers
Who should apply
Business owners who are looking for a travel rewards card with a low annual fee.
Who should skip
Travelers who expect luxury benefits like airport lounge access, hotel regulars who could earn a higher rewards rate on hotel stays using another card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for everyday use
Why we picked it
For travelers who need a balance between value (a comparatively moderate annual fee) and hefty, flexible rewards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards card offers boosted rewards earnings (2X) for everyday spending, as well as even more generously-boosted earnings on select travel purchases (5X to 10X).
Pros
- Flexible boosted rewards earnings: 2X on all purchases, 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 10X on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Offers a middle-ground, considering its annual fee and perks offerings
- Frequent travelers who will benefit from earning miles and prefer the flexibility of earning with everyday purchases
Cons
- Fewer luxury perks when compared to some competing cards
- Less-flexible rewards redemption, when matched against some competitors
Who should apply
Business owners who are looking to earn travel rewards both through everyday business expenses and through travel purchases.
Who should skip
Cardholders looking for top-of-the-line luxury travel benefits may find more impressive perks elsewhere.
United Club℠ Infinite Card: Best for United loyalists
Why we picked it
For travelers who don’t mind pledging loyalty to a specific airline, the United Club Infinite Card offers outstanding rewards for those who travel regularly using United. Those who use this card for flights, in-flight purchases, baggage fees, and ticket upgrades will enjoy a 4X boosted rate of rewards earnings, alongside 2X earnings on non-United travel and dining purchases.
Pros
- Generous welcome offer and perks for United flyers
- Flexible points redemption for everything from hotel stays and car rentals to gift cards and Mileage Plus catalog merchandise
- Free checked bags on United flights
- Automatic United Club lounge membership
- Global Entry / TSA Precheck application fee reimbursement
Cons
- $525 annual fee
- No introductory APR offers on purchases or balance transfers
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Who should apply
Air travel regulars who find themselves booking United flights routinely are likely to see a strong return when using this card.
Who should skip
If your business travel takes you to cities without regular service by United and its partner carriers, you may be better served by a travel rewards card that offers more versatility.
Is a travel credit card right for you?
Travel cards come loaded with attractive perks and sky-high annual fees to match. Unfortunately, unless you travel often, you’ll probably have a tough time recouping the cost of that annual fee. Meanwhile, frequent travelers will get plenty of value from benefits like airline lounge access, complimentary checked baggage, and cancellation coverage. For those who are frequently on the go, the provided travel insurance can truly save the day when luggage is lost, or travel plans are abruptly canceled. Even if you only check one to two bags on a few flights per year, your card’s annual fee pays for itself.
How to choose a credit card with travel insurance
If you’re shopping around for a travel credit card that comes with travel insurance, take note of other features such as rewards and fees. That way, you’ll wind up with a card that works well when you travel while still providing plenty of value at home.
Here are some tips to consider as you browse the top credit card offers:
- Decide which travel protections you need the most. First, it can help to decide which travel insurance benefits you care the most about. While some consumers may only need primary rental car coverage or trip cancellation and interruption insurance, think about whether you would use other benefits like baggage insurance or roadside assistance.
- Read through the terms and conditions. In addition to deciding which travel protections you’re likely to use, pay attention to coverage limits and exclusions. For example, some travel cards offer only auto rental coverage for certain rental periods or within certain countries. Other benefits come with low limits that won’t provide much protection.
- Compare rewards programs. Next, think about the types of rewards you want to earn with your credit card—whether you prefer to rack up cash back, earn points you can transfer to airline or hotel programs or get flexible rewards you can redeem in more than one way. Be sure any card you’re considering offers a rewards scheme that makes sense for your spending style.
- Weigh the perks of cards that charge annual fees. Finally, keep in mind that the best credit cards with travel insurance tend to charge annual fees and that the cards with the most robust coverage options charge fees of $500 or more. While paying the high fee on a travel credit card could be well worth it, you may be able to get basic travel protections for less (or even with no annual fee) if you take the time to compare all your options.
The bottom line
If you’re angling for a credit card with travel insurance, any of the rewards credit cards we profiled on this page should fit the bill. But be sure to compare based on other features such as rewards and fees. Travel insurance benefits can be well worth paying a credit card’s annual fee, but infrequent travelers shouldn’t overpay for protections they’re rarely in the position to use.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
The information about United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
FAQs
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In most cases, you will file a claim on the credit card servicer’s website. Be prepared to provide documentation supporting any losses you’re requesting reimbursement for.
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In many cases, cards like these with extensive built-in travel protections offer plenty of coverage on their own. But just because you’ve booked a trip on your travel rewards card does not mean everyone on your manifest is covered: in many cases, coverage is only extended to the cardholder and their immediate family members.
You may consider purchasing supplemental insurance coverage for your trip if you’re traveling with friends or colleagues, or if you wish to include extra flexibility around your change or cancellation needs.
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In short, yes, many do. Check the fine print of your card’s travel insurance policy– many will require proof of a diagnosis from a doctor with date information that directly interferes with your trip. Precautionary cancellations due to COVID-19-related concerns are generally not covered.
Learn more: Check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit for tips and tricks on how to maximize travel with a credit card.
